Company that caused fish kill discharging wastewater

PEARL RIVER — State environmental regulators have approved Louisiana-based paper producer Temple-Inland Inc.’s request to begin a limited wastewater discharge from its water treatment system in order to reduce water levels in its stabilization basin.

Authorities say doing so will allow for rainfall and cooling water at the plant and prevent an emergency discharge in the event of a surprise weather event.

The 12-hour discharge begins today. It will be less than 1/10th of the normal discharge from the Bogalusa, La., plant.

During the discharge, a red non-toxic dye will be used to track it. A Department of Environmental Quality crew will monitor the discharge from inside the facility and four will monitor the river.

The company has taken responsibility for a huge fish kill on the Pearl River, blaming a discharge from the mill.